# Special Forces

> Implement unconventional operations by air, land, or sea during combat or peacetime as members of elite teams. These activities include offensive raids, demolitions, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and counterterrorism. In addition to their combat training, special forces members often have specialized training in swimming, diving, parachuting, survival, emergency medicine, and foreign languages. Duties include conducting advanced reconnaissance operations and collecting intelligence information; recruiting, training, and equipping friendly forces; conducting raids and invasions on enemy territories; laying and detonating explosives for demolition targets; locating, identifying, defusing, and disposing of ordnance; and operating and maintaining sophisticated communications equipment.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/special-forces
- SOC code: 55-3018.00
- Career family: Military
- Median annual pay: not reported
- Projected growth: not reported
- Openings a year: not reported
- Typical entry education: not reported
- Bright outlook: no

## Also called

Advance Seal Delivery System Maintainer, Amphibian Crewmember, Basic Combatant Swimmer, Combatant Swimmer (SEAL), Joint Special Operations, Master Naval Parachutist, Naval Special Warfare Medic, Parachutist, Pararescue Craftsman, Pararescue Manager

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Security Science and Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4304) (CIP 4304, 513 colleges)
- [Homeland Security](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4303) (CIP 4303, 337 colleges)
- [Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2902) (CIP 2902, 85 colleges)
- Military Systems and Maintenance Technology (CIP 2904, 8 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [George Mason University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-mason-university-1065) | Homeland Security | $91,928 | $143,972 | $20,250 |
| [Champlain College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/champlain-college-508) | Security Science and Technology | $68,425 | $101,401 | $28,520 |
| [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott](https://www.collegesref.com/college/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-prescott-909) | Security Science and Technology | $58,252 | $98,996 | $20,500 |
| [Florida State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/florida-state-university-main-campus-985) | Security Science and Technology | $60,178 | $93,841 | $15,125 |
| [Robert Morris University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/robert-morris-university-2246) | Security Science and Technology | $64,104 | $90,206 | $26,000 |
| [Mercyhurst University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/mercyhurst-university-1646) | Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | $52,770 | $86,597 | $25,000 |
| [Norwich University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/norwich-university-1970) | Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | $77,627 | $85,184 | not reported |
| [Grand Canyon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/grand-canyon-university-1108) | Homeland Security | $65,237 | $84,553 | $22,916 |

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.